What Is the Difference Between Chiffon and Tulle?

By Bonny Brown Jones

Chiffon and tulle are fabric favorites for ballerina tutus, ballgowns and bridal gowns. While chiffon is soft and flowing, tulle is flouncy when layered. You might wear a Grecian style gown of chiffon, or a short tutu-style party dress in tulle. A wedding dress might incorporate both.

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Timur Arbaev/iStock/Getty Images

Close-up of tulle fabric.

Fit for a Princess, or a Bride

Chiffon is a soft, sheer silk or rayon that drapes delicately, and might be so see-through it needs to be layered. Tulle -- machine-made netting of nylon, silk or rayon -- is also sheer. Tulle can be used for a wedding veil or crinolines in a bouffant dress. Dance like Ginger Rogers in a fluid aqua gown of silk chiffon, or feel like a ballerina in a party dress layered with pink tulle.